What should be done if a tick burrows under the skin? - briefly
Grasp the tick with fine‑pointed tweezers as close to the skin surface as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure; avoid squeezing the body. Clean the bite site with antiseptic, apply a mild disinfectant, and watch for signs of infection or rash over the next several days.
What should be done if a tick burrows under the skin? - in detail
If a tick embeds itself beneath the epidermis, immediate removal is essential to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission. Follow these steps precisely:
- Use a pair of fine‑pointed tweezers or a specialized tick‑removal device. Avoid coarse tools that may crush the body.
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin surface as possible, holding the head or mouthparts, not the abdomen.
- Apply steady, upward pressure. Do not twist, jerk, or squeeze the tick, as this can expel saliva and increase infection risk.
- After extraction, place the specimen in a sealed container with alcohol for identification if needed, then discard safely.
- Clean the bite site with soap and water, then apply an antiseptic such as povidone‑iodine or chlorhexidine.
- Observe the area for 24–48 hours. Redness, swelling, or a bullseye rash may indicate Lyme disease or other tick‑borne illnesses.
- If any part of the tick remains embedded, or if removal is difficult, seek medical assistance promptly. A healthcare professional can excise residual mouthparts and prescribe prophylactic antibiotics when appropriate.
- Record the date of the bite and the tick’s appearance (size, engorgement) to aid clinicians in assessing disease risk.
- For individuals with compromised immune systems, pregnant women, or children, contact a medical provider even after successful removal, as they are at higher risk for complications.
Timely, careful extraction combined with proper wound care and monitoring constitutes the recommended protocol for a tick that has burrowed under the skin.